The coasts of the United Kingdom are home to a variety of seabirds, some of which have striking black and white plumage. These birds play important roles in the UK’s marine and coastal ecosystems, and many are specially adapted to life at sea. Some of the most notable black and white seabirds found along UK shores include gannets, auks, guillemots, razorbills, puffins, and skimmers. These seabirds nest on cliffs and rocky islands and spend most of their lives foraging fish and other prey at sea. Their distinctive coloration serves important functions related to communication, camouflage, and temperature regulation. This article will provide an overview of the major black and white seabird species found in the UK, discussing their identification, breeding, feeding behaviors, and conservation status. Read on to learn more about these charismatic birds of the British coasts.
Northern Gannet
The Northern Gannet (Morus bassanus) is the largest seabird in the North Atlantic. Adult gannets are unmistakable with their bright white body plumage, black wingtips, and pale yellow head. Their long pointed beak is blue-gray with black edges. Northern gannets breed in densely packed colonies on rocky islands and sea cliffs, nesting on ledges or grassy areas. Major UK breeding sites include Bass Rock, St Kilda, and Grassholm. They make nests from seaweed, mud, and guano. Northern gannets feed by plunge diving into the ocean to depths of up to 20 meters to catch fish such as mackerel, herring, and cod. They may forage up to 300 km from nesting sites. Their black wingtips are thought to help frighten and herd fish during hunting. Northern gannet numbers declined in the UK up until the 1990s due to overharvesting of eggs and hunting, but have since rebounded following protection. There are now over 230,000 breeding pairs in Britain.
Identification Tips
- Large seabird with 6 foot wingspan
- Bright white body plumage and black wingtips
- Pale yellow crown and hindneck
- Blue-gray bill with black edges
- Juveniles are dark brown
Common Guillemot
The Common Guillemot (Uria aalge) is a large auk abundant around the UK coastline. In breeding plumage, its head and back are black, its underparts white, and it has a thin dark bill. In winter, its face is white with a dark smudge through the eye. Common guillemots nest in immense dense colonies on cliff ledges and rocky slopes on coastal islands, including Skomer, the Farne Islands, and St Kilda. Nest sites may be re-used for generations. These birds lay their pear-shaped eggs directly on bare rock! Common guillemots feed out at sea on small fish like sandeels, sprats, and herring. They can dive underwater to pursue prey, using their wings to “fly” and steer. Guillemot numbers were severely impacted by hunting for eggs and feathers, but increased protections have allowed them to rebound. There are now over 1 million individuals breeding in Britain.
Identification Tips
- Black back and crown, white underside in breeding plumage
- Thin straight black bill
- Red legs and feet
- Winter adults have white face/forehead
- Juveniles are brown
Razorbill
Related to the guillemot, the Razorbill (Alca torda) is a stout-bodied auk with black upperparts, white undersides, and a thick black bill with white line and tip. In flight, their black wings show a bold white triangle. Razorbills nest alongside guillemots on rocky islands, preferring narrow crevices and cavities. Major colonies in the UK include Skomer, Flamborough Head, Bempton Cliffs, and the Farne Islands. Razorbills mate for life and return to the same nesting crevice each year. They forage for fish like sand lances, young Atlantic herring, and capelin, swimming underwater using their wings. Razorbill populations declined until the mid 20th century due to hunting for feathers and eggs, but have rebounded following conservation measures. There are presently around 110,000 pairs nesting in Britain.
Identification Tips
- Thick black bill with white line and tip
- Black back and cap, white breast
- White triangle on wings in flight
- Juveniles have gray-brown upperparts
Atlantic Puffin
The Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula arctica) is probably the most recognizable seabird in the UK with its colorful bill and distinctive breeding plumage. In summer, puffins have black heads and backs, white undersides, and bright orange legs and feet. Their multi-colored bill is yellow, red, and bluish gray. Small and stocky, they nest in burrows dug into earthen cliffs and slopes on coastal islands and shorelines. Major colonies occur on the Farne Islands, Shetland Islands, Orkney Islands, and the Isle of May. Atlantic puffins are sociable, nesting in large groups. They mainly eat small fish like herring, sand eels, and capelin. Populations dropped significantly until recent protection measures. There are currently over 1 million breeding pairs in the UK.
Identification Tips
- Colorful striped bill in breeding season
- Black back and crown, white belly
- Bright orange legs and feet
- Gray and white face in winter
- Juveniles have gray bills
Black-legged Kittiwake
The Black-legged Kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla) is a small gull species whose name comes from its distinctive call, sounding like “kittee-wa-aaake.” Adult breeding plumage features a gray mantle, black wingtips, yellow bill, and yellow legs. The head is white with a black smudge behind the eye. Black-legged kittiwakes nest in large noisy colonies on sea cliffs around the British coasts including Flamborough Head, Bempton Cliffs, and the Farne Islands. Nests are built on tiny ledges and may be mere inches apart. These surface feeders subsist mainly on small fish like sandeels, herring, and capelin. Their numbers decreased substantially since the 1970s due to changing fish stocks but have been improving recently. There are presently around 375,000 breeding pairs in Britain.
Identification Tips
- Gray back, black wingtips
- Yellow bill and legs
- Black smudge behind eye
- Narrow white trailing edge to the wings
- Juveniles have black bill and legs
Black Tern
The Black Tern (Chlidonias niger) is a small, sleek seabird that migrates to Britain in summer for the breeding season. In summer plumage, adults have gray upperparts, black underparts and head, and white cheeks. The wings appear dark in flight except for pale gray outer primaries. Legs and feet are red. Black terns nest in loose groups in wetlands and marshes near the coast, building floating nests in vegetation. Major nesting sites include Minsmere RSPB Reserve, the Ouse Washes, and Strangford Lough. These agile fliers eat insects as well as some small fish and amphibians, often dipping to the water’s surface to feed. Black tern populations have declined substantially from habitat loss. They are listed as an Amber conservation concern in the UK, with around 1,100 breeding pairs.
Identification Tips
- Small tern with gray upperparts, black underparts and head
- White cheek patch
- Pale gray wing edges
- Red legs and feet
- Juveniles have some brown mottling
Key Threats and Conservation
Many black and white seabird species suffered historical population declines due to excessive hunting for meat, eggs, and feathers. Human disturbance also negatively impacts nesting colonies. Oil spills pose a major threat, damaging birds’ waterproof plumage. These seabirds face ongoing challenges from lack of prey fish due to overfishing and climate shifts impacting the marine environment. Entanglement in plastic debris and fishing gear is another issue. Several of the UK’s seabirds are listed as threatened on conservation concern lists, including:
- Northern Gannet – UK Amber list
- Common Guillemot – UK Amber list
- Razorbill – UK Amber list
- Atlantic Puffin – UK Amber list
- Black-legged Kittiwake – UK Red list
- Black Tern – UK Amber list
Ongoing conservation initiatives aim to monitor populations, safeguard breeding sites, reduce disturbance, restrict harmful fishing practices, mitigate oil spills, and promote sustainable marine management. Public education and involvement in surveys and habitat stewardship also helps support seabird conservation. Many black and white UK seabirds have shown favorable population trends in recent years due to these protection measures. Continued conservation efforts are needed to ensure the health of these special marine bird species into the future.
Conclusion
The striking black and white seabirds that occupy Britain’s coastal cliffs, rocky islands, and marine habitats provide an iconic symbol of the nation’s maritime scenery and biodiversity. Species like the Northern Gannet, puffins, guillemots, and kittiwakes are specially adapted for life at sea, showing unique nesting, feeding, and social behaviors. While many populations suffered declines due to human activities in the past, conservation initiatives have enabled several species to rebound in recent decades. However, ongoing threats from lack of prey, marine pollution, disturbance, and climate change effects highlight the need for continued monitoring and protection efforts. With appropriate safeguards, these charismatic birds can continue thriving along Britain’s dramatic sea coasts into the future. Their complex life histories and demands reveal insights into the health of the marine ecosystems we ultimately depend on as well.